Apple tree named &#34;MILLY&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  Borkh apple tree variety named ‘MILLY’, particularly characterized by its weak vigor and early and constant production. Fructification is precocious, and the productivity is high. The fruits have medium to big size, are slightly asymmetric , with an attractive red-purple color on 50-60% of the surface. The flesh is crispy, juicy and firm and has a mild flavor. The taste is very good and the aroma is mild, slightly acid to sweet, with a good sugar content with balanced acidity level. Good tendency to long term storage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica Borkh

VARIETY DENOMINATION

MILLY

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to European Community Plant VarietyOffice Application No. 2014/0964 filed Apr. 8, 2014, the entire contentsof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree,botanically known as Malus domestica Borkh of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘MILLY’.

The new Malus variety was discovered and selected by the inventor, LuigiSalvi, as a mutation of ‘CRIPPS PINK’, growing in a cultivated area inFerrara, Italy. The new Malus variety was selected by the inventor basedon constant and early production, 3 to 4 weeks before ‘CRIPPS PINK’.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by budding and graftingwas first performed in August 2012 in Consandolo, Ferrara, Italy, andhas demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new variety are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new varietyreproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘MILLY’ which in combination distinguishthis Apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   1. Red-purple color;-   2. Big size, solid flush with weakly defined stripes;-   3. Weak vigor, open habit with short branches, easy to manage;-   4. High sugar content; and-   5. Long storage ability.

In comparison to the parental and commercial varieties known to thepresent inventor, the most similar is the parent variety ‘CRIPPS PINK’.When the claimed variety ‘MILLY’ and the parent variety are compared,they differ primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with parent and similar variety New Variety ParentVariety Trait ‘MILLY’ ‘CRIPPS PINK’ Time of eating Late Verylate—3-4weeks maturity after Milly flowering Very high flowering Goodflowering Fruit Constant production Some biennial Production bearingFruits size Medium-big size Medium size

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Malus variety MILLY showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color ofMILLY

FIG. 1—Shows a mutated branch, right, and the original tree, left.

FIG. 2—Shows typical fruit of ‘MILLY’.

FIG. 3—Shows the fruit of ‘MILLY’ at different stages of maturity.

FIG. 4—Shows the fruit colors of ‘MILLY’.

FIG. 5—Shows the fruit of ‘MILLY’ on the plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘MILLY’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the Apple tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘MILLY’ as grownin the apple farm in Consandolo, Ferrara, Italy, under conditions whichclosely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. TheApple farm where ‘MILLY’ is grown is situated 30 km from the Adriaticsea (44° 65′ North, 11° 76′ East) and is 4 meters above sea level. Thesoil of apple farm where ‘MILLY’ is grown is middle clay, the soil istreated with manure and irrigated with drip irrigation systems. Theclimate is temperate continental with high summer temperatures and lowwinter temperatures.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on 3 year old ‘MILLY’ treesthat were grown in the Apple farm from Consandolo, Ferrara, Italy from2012 to 2014. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘MILLY’. The measurementsof any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety mayvary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.) 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately at 10:00 a.m. in Consandolo—Ferrara —Italy.

All of the trees of ‘MILLY’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica Borkh.-   Parentage: Limb sport mutation of Malus domestica variety designated    ‘CRIPPS PINK’-   Propagation: Budding and grafting on M9 T337 rootstock-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature.—During day, grown in range of 15° C. to            25-35° C. (maximum in summer), and during evening, grow in            range of −5° C. to −15° C. (autumn/winter period).        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of N=25            KG/HA P=10 KG/HA K=30 KG/HA.        -   Growth regulators.—anything at the moment.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—standard pruning and            growing conditions.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were 3 years old.        -   Vigor.—average vigorous; abundant flowering ;early beginning            production; good production.        -   Form.—Upright spreading and conical.        -   Habit.—A average size tree with one medium stocky trunk and            smooth; main branches spreading.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 55° to 85° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.        -   Density.—medium density; about 3000 trees per hectare.        -   Cropping behavior.—precocious fruit bearing with high            productivity.        -   Type of bearing.—early beginning of production; no biennial            bearing. Production of 3 years old plants: about 10-11 kg.        -   Size at maturity.—Height: (on 3 years old tree) About 2.4 m            Spread: About 1 m.        -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): About 2.4 m Diameter: About            40 mm as measured 20 cm above point of grafting Texture: At            first, smooth with numerous lenticels, then shallow furrows            and scaly ridges Bark color: Primarily grey-brown with RHS            199 C, underbark Trunk Lenticels: Length: 2.5 mm Width: 1.8            mm Color: greyed-brown RHS 199B. Density: about 3 per cm².        -   Branches.—Number per tree: About 15 at 3 years Length:            Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree; maximum of 80 cm to            100 cm; minimum of 40 cm to 50 cm. Diameter (at 3            years):About 10 mm to 12 mm Surface texture: smooth            Pubescence: moderate pubescence on new wood Color: Mature            (after about 3 year old): grey-brown RHS 199 C New Growth:            RHS 183 A Internode length: About 20 cm to 32 cm Internode            diameter: About 8 mm to 12 mm Branch lenticels: Length:            About 1.0 mm Width: About 0.5 mm Color: RHS 155 C. Density:            About 7-8 per cm².        -   Spur.—Present: Yes Distance between each spur: On the 3 year            old branches, the distance is about 39 mm to 40 mm Diameter            of each spur: About 4 mm Number of fruit per spur: About 2            to 4.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated.        -   Lamina.—Size: from the observation of 10 fully expanded            leaves in September 2014 in Consandolo, Ferrara, Italy            Length: About 102 mm (from 4th to 6th fully expanded leaf)            Width: About 59 mm (from 4th to 6th fully expanded leaf)            Length/width ratio: 1.72 Overall Shape: large — elliptical,            wide, oval, convex, pointed, medium thick, smooth Base            shape: broad Apex shape: accuminate Margin: finely serrate,            crenate Texture: Upper surface: smooth Under surface: matte            and pubescent Attitude in relation to shoot: outwards Color            (mature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 139 A — green Under            surface: RHS 148 B Color (immature leaves): Upper surface:            RHS 141 A — green Under surface: RHS 138 A.        -   Venation.—Type: light green venation from central vein to            the leaf edge Color: RHS 195 A — greyed-green        -   Petiole.—Length: average 33 mm Diameter: average 1.9 mm            Texture: slightly pubescent Color: RHS 184B.        -   Stipule.—Arrangement: adnate, grown together; medium size            Length (distance of stipules from basal attachment of            petiole): About 5 mm to 10 mm Width: About 0.9 mm to 1.4 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on about March 28th to 13th April.        -   Blooming period.—About 12 to 15 days.        -   Fragrance.—slight.        -   Type.—corymbe.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 5 to 6.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 45 mm.        -   Buds.—Terminal Buds: Number per spur: one per spur Shape:            ellipsoid Length: About 9 mm Width: About 4 mm Texture:            slightly pubescent Color: Apex, greyed-purple RHS 187 B, and            base, RHS 197 B.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: in all types.        -   Size.—Length: About 25 mm Width: About 16 mm Length/width            ratio: 1.56.        -   Overall shape.—ovate.        -   Apex shape.—rounded.        -   Base shape.—rounded.        -   Texture (upper surface).—smooth.        -   Texture (lower surface).—smooth.        -   Margin.—free to touching.        -   Color (upper surface).—white Apex RHS 155C, and traces of            red-purple RHS 65 C.        -   Color (lower surface).—white Apex, RHS 155C, and traces of            red-purple RHS 68 C.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five. Size: Length: About 8 mm            Width: About 3.6 mm Length/width ratio: 2.2 Overall shape:            pointed, acuminate, recurved downward Apex shape: acuminated            Base shape: Texture (upper surface): pubescent Texture            (lower surface): pubescent Margin: smooth Color (upper            surface): green RHS 135C Color (lower surface): green RHS            135C.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 25 to 29 mm Diameter: about 2 mm Texture:            hairy Color: grey-green RHS 138C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps very well on the tree. It            can be stored in cold temperature conditions for up to 6            months without losing firmness and juiciness. It has a shelf            life up to 2 weeks without losing firmness and juiciness.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating by early October.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 180-195 days after            full bloom on April 4th.        -   Date of first and last picking (harvest).—About 2nd October            to 10th October in Consandolo, Ferrara, Italy.        -   Type.—Pome.        -   General shape.—Round , oblong , usually asymmetric, whit            non-prominent lobes at calyx ends.        -   Average weight.—About 185 to 200 g.        -   Fruit size.—Average height: About 78.5 mm Average diameter            (at widest point): About 82 mm Position of maximum diameter:            at about ½ of height near stem end Height/thickness ratio:            0.95.        -   Stem.—Length: About 20-25 mm Diameter: About 2.6 mm Color:            yellow-green RHS 145 C.        -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: About 18 mm Width: About 19 mm.        -   Eye basin.—Depth: About 12 mm Width: About 28 mm Crowning at            calyx end: medium Position of sepals: Half-closed Calyx            tube: funnel form.        -   Skin.—Thickness: medium Texture: smooth or slightly rough            Bloom: absent Greasiness: absent or very weak Firmness (at            picking time): 8 to 9 kg/cm2 Overcolor Color: RHS N57C red            purple Percentage of skin surface with overcolor color:            medium large 50% to 60% Pattern of overcolor: blushed and            lightly striped Intensity of overcolor: medium Ground color:            RHS 145C Skin Lenticels: Length: About 0.7 mm Width: About            0.6 mm Color: RHS green-white157 D Density: About 1.8 per            cm².        -   Flesh.—Color: yellow-white RHS 11 D Texture: crisp and            juicy—firm Aroma: mild aroma Eating quality: slightly acidic            to sweet, suave and fragrant Sugar content (at picking            time): 13 to 16 Brix Acidity/Starch (at picking time) 4.6 to            5.7 g/lt Malic acid/starch : 3 (Lainburg scale) Core:            Symmetry of core: slightly asymmetric Distinctness of core            lines: meeting, heart-shaped Locules: Number (per fruit): 5            (five) Length: About 9-10 mm Width: About 4-5 mm Form:            moderately open.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—About 7 to 9.        -   Number per locule.—About 1-2.        -   Shape.—elliptic, acute at point.        -   Length.—About 8-8.5 mm.        -   Width.—About 5 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number per flower: about 17-20 Length:            About 12 mm.        -   Anther.—Shape: ovoid Length: About 2 mm Color: yellow RHS 10            B Filaments: Length: About 10 mm Pollen: Amount: abundant            Color: RHS 10 B Pollination Requirements: the Malus            domestica variety ‘Granny Smith’ is good pollinator.        -   Gynoecium.—Stigmas: Shape: funnel shape with receptive            surface on top Length: About 1 mm Width: About 0.6 mm Color:            yellow-green RHS 144 D Ovary: Shape: Length: About 3.5 to            4 mm. Width: About 2.5 mm. Color: yellow-green, RHS 144 A.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: none noted-   Disease/pest susceptibility: no particular sensibilities detected-   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to −15 ° C. without    observed damage to wood and buds of dormant Apple trees; but open    flowers and young fruitlets are damaged by exposure to −3° C. to −5°    C., depending on the length of exposure.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 40 ° C.,    growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.-   Shipping/storage characteristics: very good storability under    ULO-conditions (1° C., 2% O2 , 2% CO2) for up to seven (7)/months.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica Borkh appletree named ‘MILLY’, as illustrated and described herein.